Electric furnace



2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Fil'ed Feb. 28. 1919 VENTOR @Hrm y ATTORNEYS Feb. 8,1927. 1,616,796 h A. E. GREENE ELECTR-I C FURNACE Original Filed Feb. 28. 1919 2. Sheets-Sheet 2A l lNy'ENToR am y ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 8, 1927.

UNITED STA TES ALBERT E. GREENE, 0F SEATTLE, WAsHING'roN. f

Application sied r'bmary 2s, 1919, serial No..279 ,776. Renewed June 1, 1926.

i' My present invention relates to electricv furnaces and'- more particularly to electric furnace electrodecliolders and -to improved shell, door,- and 'roof construction.

' One object of my invention is to provide an electric furnace with an improved form of'electrode holder inthe form'of a vertically operatin'gtrolley engaging the surfaces of a vertical Ilbeam with an insulated electrode clamp adapted to hold an electrode on the end of the trolley arm.

construction ofroof and roof frame, having special advantages in a short arch which Further objects of my invention relate to a special arrangement of end door openings in a horizontal cylindrical shell, with vprovision for an end in the shell 'comprising a flatsurface for a' doorto abut; also toa lessens the expansion of the roof and greatly lengthens the life thereof; and also to an elongated shaped melting chamber' having top electrodesv entering in a row. through the roof Vand an end door providing'accessibility to the chamber and Visibility to practicallyj -any part thereof. n

One feature f myinvention relates to the combination of the trolley With trolley wheels which engage the inner surfaces of an-I-beam and in this Way serve to keep the electrode holder horizontal alignment. l Another feature of my invention relates i `to ameans ofadjusting the length of the trolley arm for the purpose of moving the electrode nearer or farther from thevertivcal I-beam guide for the trolley.'

Another .feature of my invention relates to a means of adjusting the horizontal position of theelectrode contact clamp whereby the position of the electrode may be varied in a horizontal direction at right -angles to the axis of the trolley. arm.

.' .of permitting the electrodo to slide down` Another featureof my invention rela-tes 'to the. details of the construction of the electrode contact clamp, whereby a simple in'eans is provided for tighteningor loosening the electrode contacts fortli'e purpose through the contactf Another feature. ofmy invention relates to the construction lof theelectrode contactA proper wherebyit may bel water-cooled; and

l whereby contacts of different sizes suitable for making contact-with lelectrodes of dierent diameters may be used in the same contact clamp, so that if it is necessary to arm in both vertical andl vation of a rollingl cylinder type of electric furnace embodying my present invention;

1 and Figure 2 is a bacl elevation of the furnace shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a si e elevation of an electrode holder and electrode and vertical I-beam' guide embodying my present invention;

igure 4 is a plan view of the holder shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a sectional elevation along the-line AA of Figure 3;

Figure 6 isa bottom view of a modified present invention; and Figure 7 is a site n form of electrode holder arm embodying m elevation of a portion of an electrodev holder *I arm and contact clamp shown in Figure 6.

'Figure 8 is a side elevation of the end of the movable jaw of one form of contact clamp embodying my presenti invention;

and Figure 9 is a sectional elevation view through the'line BB of Figure 8, showing both the solid jaw and the movable jaw of this 'contact clamp.

. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, my improve- 'ments will now be described; 1 is the cylindrical shell ofthe .furnace; 2 indicates' the dished, concave-convex `ends of the cylindrilcal shell; 3 is the spout; 4 indicates the I- beams, which serve as vertical guides for the trolley member to operate in; 5 is an electrode; 6 is the trolley frame, constituting the trolley arm 'also in this modification of my invention; 7 is. the contact clamp which serves to clamp the electrodeA 5 between the conta-cts proper which conduct the electricv current to the electrode; 8 is the insulation between the clamp and the end of the trolley arm 6; 9 indicates the trolley wheels, the

upper of which engages the inner surface e of the flange ofthe I-beam toward the elect-rode andthe lower trolley wheel engages the n inner surface of the farther flange of the I- beam. A cable 10 operating over sheave wheels 11serves to raise or lower the holder by being wound or unwound on a drum 12.

The furnace is provided with a roof which is removable; 13 indicates the roof frame arches which hold the front and back castings 14 together The end castings 15 serve to hold the bricks together lengthwise of the.

. roof.` The brick arch in the roof is shown 4 y. The doors which may be lined with refractory brick are shown at 19. A lever \is adapted to raise or lower this door and is pivoted on the supporting angle 2l; a coun- I ter-weight 22 is attached to this arm. The furnace is adapted to roll over on a track riveted to the lower portion of the shellas shownat 23, which serves to keep the shell in alignment on`rails '24. The sliell maybe' tilted by anymeans such as a connecting rod operating through the pin. 26which is' heldin a casting 27 attachedto the furnacei cavity is shown at 51; each contact-is proshell.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and several improvements embodied in this modificationpof my invention-will now be described. 30 is an electrode; 31 isthe solid jaw of the contact clamp and 32v is the movable jaw of this Icontactclamp, 33 lis the' insulation betweenthe solid jaw 31 and the member 34 which forms the end ofthe electrode holder arm; 35 is a vertical bolt in# sulated from the metal parts of both the jaw4 and the parts of the. electrode holder arm' 34; insulating washers are shownat 36 and 37; 38 is an insulated bolt through a vertical surface of the clamp jaw 31 andthe `member 34; the two surfaces offthe clamp are at approximately right .angles to eachother and the construction here rovided gives materially'increased strengti to the insulated joint; insulating washers 39 are provided for this bolt 38 also." 40 is the holder arm proper and-in a particular modification of my invention shown in this gure,

this arm consists'of a pipe; 41 is a member fitted to the end of the pipe 40 and may consist of a T pipe fitting. For example it may be screwed to the' end of the pipe 40; the

member 34 provides a vertical surface for one insulated surface of'thercontact clamp and also provides a top horizontal surface for the other insulated surface Vof the contact clamp; themember 34A ts on the top and bottom of the T pipe fitting; the bolt35 clamps together the several members through which it passes, in such amanner as to prevent them from movement y, lfor example, the

top'surface of the pipe fitting and the ad- 'oininO surface of the member 34 ma be grooved to prevent the member 34 slipping around the axis of the bolt 35. Thetrolley sides are shown at 42; these' provide bearings for the trolley wheels 43 above and 44 below.- There are'two top wheels 43, one on each sideof the I-beam, each wheel engaging the surface toward the electrode; and.

there are two lower wheels 44,` each engaging the opposite surface of the I-beam; the trolleyV sides- 42 are bolted `together with bolts 45 and clamp the pipe 40 by means of two members 46.and 47, which fit over the pipev 40. The length of the trolley arm may be'A increased or diminished by loosening these bolts 45 and sliding the. arm out or in `of the Contact members .46' and 47.

Referring to F igure' 5 which is a section through the line AA f Figure -3 and whichA shows the construction of the electrode contacts proper, 50 indicates these,..contacts,

which may be constructed of copper; for

lexample,copper castin s. `Each' contact covers about to 1200 o the circumference of the electrode as indicated in the plan view shown in Figure 4. These contacts' are pro- 'vided with hollow cavities which may be' water cooled and the inlet and outlet to this vided with anextension 52 which serve for connecting the iiexible leads which conduct the current to the contact; each contact is also provided with han extension 53 4which serves to connect the two contacts together by means of 'a suitable lexible'jumper .shown in Figure 4 at 54. In certain instances where it is desired notto use flexible con nections leading directly to the contact, then solid-copper barsmay'be connected directly to the extensions 53 on one side of the holder l as shown in plan in Figure 4.

The means of clamping the contacts together on the electrode is shown in Figures 3 and 4 for thismodiication of my invention. The mechanism consists of an eye-bolt 60 fitting over a cylindrical portion of the lever 61. An' eccentric hole is located in this cylindrical portion ofthe lever 61 whereby the movement of the lever arm serves `to transmit movement to the eye-bolt 60 in similar manner to the operation of any eccentric lever; the other end of the eye-bolt 60 is Vprovided with two nuts 62, one ofwhich is on one side of the movable jaw 32 and the other nut Vbeing on the other side of this jaw 32. A bolt 63 servesas a pin to operate the eccentric lever 61 and the eye-bolt 60. Then the lver is thrown in one direction the movable -jaw will :be brought closer to the solid jaw 31 and when the lever 61 is thrownin the opposite direction. the movable ing action the inside nut on the bolt 60 may Vbe loosened and the outside nut may be provide forincrea'sed diameter of electrodes.'

tightened, thus providing an additional The inner surfaces of the contacts are jaws results, then the movable jaw 32 which is pivoted on a bolt or pin 64 may be moved out to an outer hole 65 and in this manner The water cooling eavityvin these clamps shown in Figure 4 at 66 lits into the opening 67 in the jaw 30. The arrangement shown makes it possible to interchange contacts of different diameters.

y In Figs. 6 and 7, a modified holder arm is shown, consisting of Va T-shaped member 7l. This arm is provided with a top hori'- zontal surface shown at 72and the bottom View of which is shown in Figure-6. Insulation is shown'at 73 on this top surface,

vseparating 1it 4from the corresponding vhorizontal surfacef of the contact member 74. The member 71 is also provided with a flat ,y end 75 which lserves to hold an additional insulating member 76 which insulates a cor- -responding vertical surface ofthe Contact 74 from the arm 71. Two bolts 77 ext-end through the horizontal Isurfaces of the arm and clamp, and these bolts 77 are insulated `from both members by suitable insulating bushings not shown and by insulatingwashers 78. The vertical surfaces are also held together by bolts 79 which are likewise in- .sulated by insulating bushings not shown and by insulating washers v8O. The con`v to the change in the relativepositionof the s movable jaw with respect'to the solid jaw;-

in these figures there is shown a screw member 91 which is threaded and which is provided with a bolt head 92 through which operates a=lever 93. A nut 94 -serves. to hold the screw in place with respect to the jaw member 97. A special nut 95 is provided in the other jaw member 98 and is constructed with pins 96 which form a pai-t of a nut 95 and which rests in grooves in the member 98. A cap 99 on each end of this special nut serves to vhold it in place with respect to the jaw 98 but permits of movement aboutv the anis of these pins. The screw 91 may be revolved by means of the lever 93 and the special nut member `95 serves to move .thejaw 98 with respect to jaw 97. The lever 93 may slide through the head 92 .on the screw 91.

With reference to Figures' 3 and 4, it will be: noted that the solid jaw of the contact clamp may be rotated about the axis of thebolt 85 by loosening the nuton this boit and in this -Way the horizontal alignment vof the electrode may be varied; .the horizontal alignment of the electrode may be further varied inwardly or outwardly by the movement of the pipe arm 40 inwardly or outwardly; and the arrangement thus provides a universal adjustmentof the location of the electrode;

The arrangement of the door openings into the furnace chambers as shown in Figures l and 2 constitutes a special feature of my present invention. The door frames in Figs. l and 2 consist of castings which are fitted to the ends f the cylindrical shell, that is, to` the dished heads. The door frames provide an outer flat surface 101 against which the door 19` may operate, the arrangement being such' that when closed the doors may be sealed by mud or clay.

The arrangement here provides a door at each end of the shell, and access is thereby had to any part of the lining of the furnace. When both doors are open inspection may be readily madeof the bath and lining. llre opening through the spoutmay be madesticiently'large for the removal of slag through the spout.

l im

The at portion of the end of the shell need not be a casting but may be a flat end of the metal plate of the shell proper, and the door opening may be through this. The advantage of this construction is that the whole length' of theinner chamber isvisible through the end door, Whereas in a round i furnace such as the usual Heroult construction, it is practically impossible to see the walls and banks of thevfurnace immediately adjacent to the doorway. The furnace chamber is elongated and is covered by a short arch roof, the `end of the arch'resting on the. top. surfaces of the lining of the` chamber. Through this roof are holes for electrodes in -a row parallel to the axis of the cylindrical shell. The short arch greatly 'simplifies the construction of the roofs and adds materially to the life thereof.

The 2li-beams 4 shown in these figures may be very simply attached to the cylindrical shell since there is no other fitting in the way located at the back of the cylindrical shell. I-beam guides similar to these may of course be attached to any kind of mov# able' or stationary electric furnace and serve to hold trolleys such as already described. The I-beams in these figures are held together by means of a suitable structural member sucl'i channel 102 at the-.top v,of

,the vroof of the furnace without the'necessity vof cuttingsthese brick; that is,.the 'surface 1,4 of the frontend back members of the roof frame have the same angleas the surwhere the brick Vadjoins. Athe members 14. The bricks of thereof arel held togetherv lengthwise of :the roof -byfthe angle mem#- 4bers l5 shownin section in",Figure- 2,. l' The members 14 are further connected by the arch members l13 which' may besteel cast- :ings which also facilitate lifting o wthe roofv i from lthe furnace shell proper.. which iprovidesfvertical I-beams. as guides I should benoted that the construction i "j'fort-he electrode holder -trolleys has the special'advantageof simplicity in construe-l .tionandfaft .the same time is adapted to per-,

mtthe removal of the roof frame so that when desired the .furnace mayl charged i through'. themtop. Thus the roof frame shown-in' Figures l and 2 may be lifted and mcvedi-4 forward and thus removed from the furnace', it being onl. necessary toi raise i the electrodes in the olders .sufficiently whaai'ciaimxis;

above the top of the furnace to allow the frame to be lifted-ofi'. The 'construction of the roof frame may be modified by cutting off the tops of the dished ends of the furnace alongthe line 103, if desired. Altho I ,A have shown trolley wheels as engaging only theinner surfaces of the I-beams, it is underv stoody that' I do-'not limit myself to 'suchl construction and the wheels may be located in any convenient place and may operate onany or all of the surfaces of the I-beams.

1. An electrode-crane for an electric fur- F. nace, said cranecomprisinga vertically eX- tending -I-beam, a trolley member slidably mounted thereon, an arm attached to` said trolley and extending outwardly therefrom -a'ndcarrying an insulated electrode lclamp for lholding an electrode, and means of beam, a trolley member for operating ver-l tically while 'engagingthe surfacesof said' I-beam, means for raising or lowering said I trolley'inember along said I-bea'm, and an electrode "holder 'attachedv by means of 'an arm to saidt'rolley'member whereby an l electrode held in said holder may be raised or lowered.

4 3.'An electric furnace .electrode holdertei1ding laterally from said I-beam, clamp comprising an upright I-beam, an arm exing Inechanismcarried'by that" arm remote from s aid Ibeam, for holdin an electrode in upright position, trolley w eels between the other 'end of said arm and said I-beam 'lowering said arm along said I-beam to adjust the elevation of said electrode. faces of the brick of the arch at the place 4. An electric 'furnace electrode :holder comprising'lan upright I-beam, a trolley member comprising two upper trolley wheels and two lower trolley wheelsin position to engage' theiianges of said `I-beam, a supporting varm carried by said trolley member,

clamping'mechanism carried by said supv I porting arm iii position to hold an electrode, means for insulating the clamping mechanxsm from said supporting arm, and means for lifting or lowering said trolley member together;l with said supporting arm and said for liftin or owering` said arm together with sai clamping Amechanism and said electrode. f

6. An electric furnace velectrode trolley arm comprising a vertical trolley, two trolley Awheels adaptedto engage the anges of an I-beam in the direction in whichthe trolley arm extends from the I-beam, and two lower 4 trolley wheels adapted to engage the oppo .site inner flanges lof the `I-beam,` and va clamping member adapted to fhold an electrode at the end of the trolley arm, and means of-insulating the trolley arm from the clamping member.

7. An electric furnace electrode cranel for anl electric furnace, said crane consisting of a vertically mounted I-beam, a horizontal armflgextendingoutwardly from said I-beam, and means of raising orlowering said arm on -rollers engaging surfaces of said vertical I-beam.

8- An electric furnace comprising an I-beam mounted so that its 'anis is normally vertical, an outwardly lelectrode holder,

extending electrode supporting arm,rollers for engaging the surface or surfaces of said Lbeam` whereby the electrode supporting member may be raised or lowered while the Ibe`am and -rollers lare in engagement.

9. In an electric .furnace electrode holder the combination of two trolley members'one on each vside of a vertical beam along which said trolley moves, and an outwardly extending arm having an electrode holding member lon the outer end o f said arm, and means of bolting the arm between two members attached to said trolley sides, one or more members being slotted, whereby the longitudinal adjustment of the arm` in towards or out from the trolley may be made.

10. An electric furnace electrode Iholder comprising a vertically operating trolley member engaging the surface of an upright guide beam, an arm extending outwardly from said trolley member, an electrode holding member ',on said arm, and means for adjusting the. position of the electrode held thereby in a direction parallelto the axis 0f said arm.

' .-11. An electric fuinace electrode holder for an electric furnace comprising an upright support, an arm connected to said support for guidance along the latter While held thereby in approximately horizontal position, means for holding an electrode, and means for adjustment of said electrode to 'and from said upright'support;

12. An' electric furnace electrode holder comprising a support having upright spacedapartbearing surfaces, an arm havin@ a plurality of branches extending therefi'om to- -said bearing surfaces, means carried by said arm for holding an electrode, and mechanism for adjusting the position of said arm along said suppor An electric furnace electrode holder com rising a vertically operating trolley mem er, an arm extending 'laterally from A said trolley.y member, an -electrode holder lso mounted on said .arm and means for adjusting the positionof an electrode held thereby so, as to move the electrode horizontally in a direction parallel to the arm axis or in' a direction at right angles thereto.

14. An electric furnace electrode holder comprising a vertically operating. supporting arm extending in a general horizontal direction, electrode holding means mounted on said arm and means for adjusting the ,position of an electrode held thereby in a direction at right angles to the arm axis.

15..An electricfurnace electrode holder .comprising a trolley member, a supporting arm extending laterally therefrom, 'clamping mechanism for holding an electrode in up?,

right position, means-for pivotally connecting vsaid clamping mechanism on the oiter end of said arm to permit adjustment of said` clamping mechanism and said electrode. in horizontal planes and to .either side ofthe axis of said arm, means for insulating said clamping mechanism from saidarm, and means for holding the' clamping mechanism in adjusted position oii'its upright axis of pivotal movement relative to said arm.

16. An 'electric furnace electrode holder comprising a trolley member, a supporting from the trolley may be made.

vfor supporting said arm for adjustment in the direction of its axis relatively to said trolley member, an mechanism pivotally connected to the outer end of said-'"arm for swinging movement relative thereto on an upright axis. j

17. An electric furnace electrode holder comprising a trolley member, a laterally extending arm, means for supporting said arm in horizontal position and for adjustment in the direction of its axis relatively to said trolley member, means for holding said-arm in adjusted position relative to said-trolley member, l electrode clamping mechanism pivotally connected to the outer end of .said arm for swingingmovemcnt relative thereto on an upright axis, means for insulating said clamping mechanism 'from said arm, and means for holding the clamping mechanism in adjusted position relative to said arm on either side ,of-the axis of said arm.

18. In an electrode holder the-'combination of two trolley members one on eachside of a vertical beam along which said trolley moves, and an outwardly extending arm having an electrode holding member on the outer end of said arm, and means of bolting the arm between two members attached to said trolley sides, whereby the longitudinal adjustment of the arm in towards or out 19. An electrode holder for an electric furnace comprising an upright member, an arm connectedto said upright member for guidance along the latter and held thereby in approximately horizontal position normally,

means on said arm for holding an electrode,

said arm having two clamping members for electrode clamping' from said trolley, said arm comprising `atubular member adj ustably mounted on said trolley to move inwardly or outwardly, ank

insulated contact clamp on the outer end of said arm, whereby the location of the electrode in the direction of the arm may be comprising an approximately horizontal arm, an end piece on said arm-having a vcrticalpin therethru, a U shaped piece mounted on said arm end pivoted about said pm, and an electrode holding member` 21. An electric furnace electrode holder comprising two clamping members mounted on anvarm and hingeably connected to each other for clamping an electrode between, and ositive means ofopeningl or closing said iinged clamping device members, said.

means comprising an eccentric lever mechanism mounted on one of the clamping membersand adjustably connected to the other clamping member'through an eccentric rod, whereby quick positive movement `of the clamps is possible.

24. In an electric for clamping an electrode, the-combination with two movable clamping members of an eccentric mechanism for opening andrclos- .ing the. clamping members, said mechanism comprising an eccentric rod adjustably fixed toone' of said clamping members' and an eccentrically mounted member on the other clamping member for engaging said eef centric rod, and means o adjusting said eccentrically mounted member to regulate the opening between the clamping members.

.l 25. An electric furnacel electrode holder mechanism for opening and closing the jaws of an electrode clamp, said'mechanismcompri'sing a rod threaded at one end and adjustably connected to one of the jaws and eccentrically mounted at the other end on the other jaw', and alever for operating the eccentric mechanism to open or close the jaws.

26. An electric furnace electrode holder mechanism 'for opening and closing two jaw members of an electrode clamp, said mechanism comprising an eye bolt threaded at one j end and engaging a threaded nut member mounted on one of the jaws, the eye of said bolt engaging an eccentrically mounted boss on the other jaw, and means 'of turning said eccentrically mounted. boss to adjust the' jaws.

' 27. Anv electric furnace electrode holder mechanism for opening and closing two jaw members of an electrode clamp, said mechas nism comprising a screw threaded bolt mem-l ber vadjustably connected to one jaw member between nutson said bolt, and :in eccentrically mounted boss on the other jaw engaging said bolt member to move the same, and

means of operating said boss on its axis.

' 28. In combination, an electrlc furnace '--electrode holdervcomprising two clamping members, means for closing or opening the" '65 space between said clamping members, and.

'comprising two contact clamping furnace electrode holder a contact member inside each clamping member between it and the electrode, sai contactfmembers each comprising a conductor lfor electricity and having a surface of contact of less than 180 degrees of arc to contact with said electrode, andv a lug extending up above the clampin members and providing space for attachmg a conductor thereto.

29. In combination, an electric furnace electrode holder comprisin a clamping device for holding an electro e and two separate contacts held between said clamping dcvice and said electrode, each of Said'contacts havingwater cooling means.

30. In combination with an electric furnace electrodev holder, a clamping mechanism membersadapted to clamp an electrode between two replaceable circuit contacts one on each side of the electrode, said contacts being removable from said clamping members and replaceable lby other 'contacts when the size of electrode is chan ed. 1 1

31. An electric urnace electrode holder comprisin a supporting member and an electrode holding member separated by an insulating joint, said joint comprising two surfaces o abutment in different planes with insulating material between in both '9 I i planes.

32. An electric furnace electrode holder comprising a supporting member and a clamping member, an, insulated joint b- .tween, said joint having two opposing surfaces separated by insulating material in one plane, and two other surfaces likewise separated by insulating material in another plane, and insulated bolts holding each two surfaces together.

33. In combination, an velectric furnace electrode holder, com rising an arm, a clamping member attac ied to said arm for holding an electrode, and an insulating joint. between said arm and said clamping member comprising two insulating surfaces one horizontal and the'other vertical and means of holding the said arm and clamping member in place Awhilemaintaining them insulated from each other.

34. In combination, an electric furnace lelectrode holder arm having a flat end surface and a fiat top'surface adjoining, insulating material on these two surfaces,.an electrode clamping member having corresponding surfaces'abutting the said endl and top surfaces of said arm but withfthe insulatingl material between. I

` 35. In combination an electric furnace electrode holder comprising a clamping member attached tothe end of a supporting arm but insulated therefrom by a vertical layer of insulating' material, insulated bolts holding the opposing surfaces of said clamping. member and arm against each other, and 13 said clamping members and arm each having a horizontal Surface of abutment with insulating material between.

36. An electric furnace .electrode holder comprising an arm and an insulated clamping member attached to Asaid arm, said clamping member comprising a relatively fixed memberh and a member hinged thereto, a threaded eye bolt adjustably'connected at Cil 'l0 its threaded end to one of the members between nuts on said bolt and at the other end a cylindrical boss Within said eye bolt but either by adjustment .of the nuts or of the eccentric member.

37. In combination with an electric furnace electrode holder, an arm carrying anE electrode clamping member, a vertical i1 --L"i9 sulating partition and a horizontalinsulating partition between corresponding vertical and horizontal surfaces of said arm and clamping;r member, said surfaces being held against Vthe partitions by insulated bolts. 25

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 21st day of February, A. D. 1919. I

ALBERT E. GREENE. 

